, 1887-07-14
RAILROAD MATTERS.
Lower Freights to he Given Spokane by
the Northern Pacific.

The private car of Vice-Presdent
Oakes, of the Northern Pacific reached
this city yesterday, on the return trip
east. Mr.. Oakes is on his regular tour
of inspection and observation, and has
been as far west as Portland and Puget
sound He was accompanied from
the east by J. M. Hannaford, of St.
Paul, general freight agent Of the road,
and by Mr., George Browne, of New
York. They passed through here on
their way west several days ago, stop.
ping at all the principal points on the
line between St. Paul and Tacoma.
They made special examination of
the switchback over the summit Of the
lofty Cascades, and pronounce it one
of the most marvellous and successful
pieces of railroad engineering skill to
be found in the world. The trains are
lifted up the sides of the mountains on
easy and pleasant grades, and such
precautions are taken and care exer-
cised that the danger of accident is
practically overcome and the ride over
that part of the line can be made with
as much safety rs over our level
prairics. On their way back they we're
joined by Mr., S. G.. Fulton, OF Portland,
acknowledgement freight agent; f. p.
Weymouth, Of Sprague, superintend-
ent of the western division, and Mr.. G.
III. Prescott, OF Portland, late general
manager of the o. II. &. N. Co. The
party took q run south over the Spo-
kane & Palouse road, and were greatly
pleased with the immense richness of
that section, rs well as the prospect
for abundant crops of all
kinds this season. This line
penetrates one of the very richest agri-
cultural sections in the United States
and gives u person quite different
idea of the resources OF eastern WASH
ington from that obt'ined by riding
over the main line of the Northern
Pacific. Mr.. Oakes and Mr.. Hanna
ford are specially interested in learn
ing what policy is best for the road to
adopt so as to aid most in the develop
ment and prosperity of this country,
and to seek such information as will
best aid them in determining the
course necessary for the managers of
the road to adopt so as to secure that
result is one object of the visit. They
feel gratified at the rapid progress and
remarkable growth of Spokane Falls
and feel that the interests of the North
ern Pacific here can best be fostered by
aiding that growth as far as possible.
They were met yesterday by COM
mittee of the board of trade with whom
they held very pleasant conference
relating to existing and contemplated
freight rates. The passage of the in
ter-state commerce bill compelled the
road to adopt extreme measures, for
its own protection, in interpreting
the law. 1t has now been pretty thor
oughly tested and the courts have
passed on most of its provisions so that
its practical workings can be estimated
with considerable accuracy. This en-
ables the company to establish, under
it, tariff of freight rates which will not
be oppressive to the public, and, at
the same time, not jeopardize its
own interest. The gentlemen author
ize us to assure the people Of Spokane
and eastern Washington that q sched-
ule of rates has already been agreed
on, and which will be put in force
August LIST, that will materially change
those now in force and which, it is en-
pected, will give entire satisfaction.
Such rate will be made on grain as
will enable our farmers to ship their
wheat to tide water and give them n
much larger profit therefrom than
they have heretofore realized. While
it is expected that the bulk of the
grain will go west, the present
low rate OF YS per ton on wheat
shipped to Lake Superior will not be
increased, thus giving the farmers a
choice OF an east or west market. In
relation to the proposed branch roads
from this city north to Colville and
west through the Big Bend country,
the reporter could gather no definite
information further than the Northern
Pacific does not intend TO be caught
mapping but will go wherever its inter
ests call it.. In relation to its policy
towards Spokane Falls as city, the
managers OF the road are aware that
our wide awake, enterprising people
have never felt it their duty to Join
the howling mob of crazy lunitics and
political place seekers in this territory
who have sought to cripple its inter
ests, and to show their feeling of
friendship for the place they point to
the branch lines already reaching out
from us and the plans maturing for
others to follow. Regarding local inn
provements they assure us that the
Northern Pacific will keep up with
the growth of the city. The gentle
men spent considerable time yester T..
day in looking about the city and con-
| ferring with our business men and n
better understanding has been arrived
at all around and much better feel
ing prevails. They go east with the
regular passenger train this morning.
Horses Drowned.